Improvement in sewing-machine tables



R. HUGHES.

Improvement in Sewing-Machine Tables. N0. 131,101. Patented Se.p.3,1872.

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UNITE STATES PATENT OrFIoE.

IMPROVEMENT IN SEWING-MACHINE TABLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 131,101, dated September 3, 1872.

To alZperson-s to whom these presents may come:

Be it known that I, RICHARD HUGHES, of Boston, of the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have made a new and useful improvement or invention having reference to Sewing-Machine Tables; and do hereby declare the same to be fully described in the following specification and represented in the accompanying drawing, of Which- Figures 1 and 2 are opposite side elevations of a sewing-machine table-top and collapsible cover applied together, and having the cover made in my improved way. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the two taken through theconnecting-pivot and clamp-screw of their rotary hinge. Fig. 4 is a similar section taken through their catch-hook and its catch-plate. Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the collapsible cover. Fig. 6 is a top view, and Fig 7 a side view, of the table-top and the collapsible cover as they appear when the latter is folded or collapsed, and turned about at right angles with the position of it, as exhibited in Figs. 1, 2, 3,

and 4. Fig.8 is a top view of the catch-plate.

The principal object of my invention is to enable the cover to be reduced in size in order that it may take up less room in being packed for transportation than it would were it not collapsible.

I am aware that a folding or collapsible cover to a sewing-machine table is not new, such a device being shown and described in the United States Patent No. 108,07 4, it being, however, constructed and applied to the tabletop in ways quite diflerent from such as represented in the accompanying drawing. I therefore make no claim to the cover as made in manner and applied to a tabletop, as shown in said patent, the cover in such case not being capable of being folded so that its two opposite sides and ends may be lapped upon one another; but in my construction of cover both sides when turned down are parallel to the top board and one can be lapped on the other and both be overlapped by the ends when they are so turned-down, whereby the whole cover can be collapsedwhile over the table-top; the same rendering it more convenient in many respects and requiring less room in packing, it being a desideratum to be able to reduce the parts of a sewing-machine table into as little compass as possible.

In constructing my collapsible cover I first fix to the lower surface of the top board A a cleat, B, as thick as, if not thicker, than either of the side pieces 0 D, one, C, of which I hinge by hinges on to the top board, and the other, D, to the cleat, so that the two side pieces may be turned down into parallelism with the top board and one lapped upon the other. Next the two end boards or pieces E F are each connected to the top board A by two-leaved hinges, 1), arranged close to the ends of the side pieces, and formed so as to enable the end pieces to be folded upon one or both of the side pieces. The end pieces are provided with shoulders c, to estop the side pieces when both end and side pieces are at right angles with the top board A. Furthermore, spring-latches d, arranged as shown, serve to hold the parts in such positions. One of the end boards has a two-leaved hinge, G, fixed to its lower edge by screws going through one of the leaves, the other leaf being arranged flat upon the table-top, and furnished with a pivot, h, extended from it and going through a bearing, 2, fixed in the table-top. The pivot turns freely in the bearing, and where projecting beyond it is provided with a male screw, k, to receive a clamp-nut, Z, all being as shown. Furthermore, there is a catchhook, H, fixed to the lower edge of the said end board to operate with a slotted plate, I, fixed on the table-top, as shown in Fig. 9, which is atop view of the'table-top, with the pivot-bearing and the catch-plate shown in their proper positions. When the cover is bein g turned down upon the table-top, the catchhook and plate answer the purpose of a hinge to connect the cover and plate, but while the cover is being raised the catch will rise out of the slot of the plate, so as to enable the plate and catch to be disengaged in order to admit of the cover being revolved on the table-top. It should be understood that the sewing-machine is to be arranged upon the table-top, so as to be capable of being covered by the cover, as occasion may require. To the opposite end board I usually apply a piano or trunk-lid lock to operate with a catch-plate fixed to the tabletop.

This construction of the collapsible cover and application of it to the table-top board, enables the cover to be folded together upon the top, and swing around in a horizontal plane from a position directly over the middle of the top or aside into one, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. When so swung around the cover may be held in position by the clamp-nut and its screw by turning up the nut sufficiently.

I claim- 1. The improved collapsible cover, as made with its side pieces hinged to the top piece and cleat, and its end pieces to the top board A, in manner substantially as shown and described, so that both end pieces and both side pieces may be turned or folded together down into parallelism with the top board A.

2. I also claim the combination of the rotary or pivoted hinge G, the hooked-catch H and catch-plate I, as described, with the table-top A and the collapsible cover.

RICHARD HUGHES.

Witnesses:

OH. MiiLLER, J. R. SNOW. 

